Telangana Conducts Second Caste Census After 2014 Samagra Kutumba Survey
Hyderabad: Telangana is witnessing a second caste census within 10 years of its formation. The previous BRS government conducted a similar survey titled Samagra Kutumba Survey (SKS) also known as Intensive Household Survey (IHS) on a single day on August 19, 2014.
Although it was not called a caste survey, the details of castes were gathered but the survey findings were not released officially.
The SKS format gathered information on eight broad areas covering 98 questions. The SKS was conducted by engaging nearly 4 lakh government employees on a single day. The BRS government declared a general holiday on August 19 to facilitate people and the entire government machinery including police to take part in the survey.
The new caste census being conducted by the Congress government aims to correct that oversight by making the findings public to inform future policy-making. By detailing both individual and household socio-economic information, the caste census is expected to deliver insights into the effectiveness of reservation benefits, asset distribution, education and employment barriers, and social structure across caste lines.
The SKS questionnaire covere eight broad areas and parameters including identification particulars (13 questions), family particulars (21), housing details (16), household land details (15), family member details (13), persons with disability details (six), chronic diseases (three), movable assets (five), and livestock, pet details (six questions).
Natives of Telangana, residing in other states and abroad, who were physically not present were included in the survey list, based on relevant documents produced to the enumerators.
As part of the survey, the enumerators verified documents issued by the Centre or state government such as Aadhaar card, ration card, LPG connection booklet, physically challenged certificate, electricity bill, pattadar passbook, caste certificate, vehicle registration details among others.
